ADGM RA Consults on New Strata Regulations to Replace the 2015 Regime
October 12, 2026
No Comments
Read More »
ME-ALLIANCE LEGAL UPDATE
Resolution of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi No. (3) of 2026 Concerning the Measurement, Reporting and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Resolution No. (3) of 2026 of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The Resolution introduces a regulatory oversight system based on the registration of regulated facilities, preparation of monitoring plans, submission of emissions reports, and independent verification of reported data, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of information used in climate policies and environmental regulation.
Regulation of the Measurement, Reporting and Verification System
Article (2) identifies the Resolution’s objective as regulating the measurement, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and establishing an accurate emissions database to support the development of policies, measures and procedures aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development.
Article (3) defines the scope of application to include facilities and sectors meeting the criteria and thresholds established by the Agency.
This represents a transition from general environmental compliance obligations towards a regulatory system based on the quantitative documentation, review and verification of emissions.
Powers of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi
Article (4) grants the Agency extensive regulatory powers, including operating registration, measurement, reporting and verification systems, compiling greenhouse gas emissions inventories, developing technical guidelines, templates and procedures, reviewing monitoring plans and emissions reports, and managing the databases associated with the system.
The Agency’s responsibilities also extend to monitoring facilities’ compliance, reviewing submitted data, and organizing awareness and training programmes relating to the implementation of the Resolution.
Obligations of Regulated Facilities
Article (5) establishes several fundamental obligations for regulated facilities, including cooperating with the Agency, providing the necessary data and information, preparing monitoring plans and emissions reports, maintaining records and supporting documentation, and notifying the Agency of changes that may affect emissions data or their scope.
Consequently, regulatory compliance is no longer limited to obtaining environmental permits but also requires facilities to establish documented internal systems for managing emissions data, ensuring their accuracy and maintaining their continuous updating.
Registration and Measurement of Emissions
Article (6) regulates the registration requirements applicable to facilities covered by the system, including the submission of operational information, emissions sources and other data necessary to determine the scope of regulatory applicability.
Article (7) establishes measurement requirements, including the preparation of an emissions monitoring plan identifying emissions sources, applicable methodologies, data collection procedures and record-keeping arrangements.
The monitoring plan must also be updated whenever changes occur that affect the measurement methodology or the data used.
Annual Emissions Reporting
Article (8) requires the periodic submission of greenhouse gas emissions reports containing essential information concerning emissions volumes, their sources and the methodologies used to calculate them.
This obligation is particularly significant because it transforms emissions data from internal operational information into regulatory disclosures subject to review.
It also enables the Agency to establish a unified and comparable emissions inventory across the Emirate.
Correction of Errors and Independent Verification
Article (9) addresses errors or deficiencies identified in monitoring plans or emissions reports and requires their correction in accordance with the prescribed procedures and deadlines.
Article (10) establishes an independent verification process under which emissions data and reports are reviewed by a verifier meeting the applicable independence and competency requirements.
Regulated facilities are also required to provide the documentation and supporting evidence necessary to complete the verification process.
Registration of Verifiers and Data Protection
Article (11) regulates the registration of verifiers and the conditions governing their accreditation, with the objective of ensuring professional competence and independence throughout the verification process.
Article (13) addresses data confidentiality and establishes restrictions on the use and disclosure of information, while permitting data sharing in circumstances authorized by the Resolution and applicable regulatory frameworks.
Compliance and Administrative Penalties
Article (14) addresses compliance and enforcement, while Article (15) provides for the application of administrative penalties and fines in accordance with applicable legislation.
The Resolution also regulates grievance procedures and the granting of judicial enforcement powers within the relevant legal frameworks.
Legal and Regulatory Implications of the Resolution
The Resolution establishes an integrated regulatory oversight framework based on registration, emissions measurement, reporting, independent verification and record retention, thereby incorporating greenhouse gas emissions data into the environmental compliance obligations of regulated facilities in Abu Dhabi.
Its legal significance extends beyond requiring facilities to disclose emissions information. It establishes a comprehensive sequence of interconnected obligations, beginning with emissions measurement using approved methodologies, followed by the preparation and submission of reports, and concluding with independent verification and the correction of identified deficiencies.
This framework strengthens the reliability and consistency of emissions data and provides a more robust regulatory foundation for developing, implementing and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions reduction policies throughout the Emirate.
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
